The Nintendo Switch is becoming the indie machine for excellence. We are being greeted with really good indie games that show the developers’ inventive minds and their commitment to create something different. Velocity 2X is one of those indie gems that you cannot miss, since it combines the shmup and platforming genres to create an experience that is so engaging and fun that you wouldn’t think it possible. Velocity 2X is a sequel to acclaimed “mini” game Velocity that was released originally on PSP minis and re-released in an HD port for the PS Vita. Now, this game has made the jump to the Nintendo Switch, and I can tell you that is as smooth as teleporting through space (and I mean this in a good way).
In Velocity 2X, we take the role of Lt. Kai Tana, the pilot of humanity´s last hope, in a highly advanced spaceship the Quarp Jet. Here we follow up the final moments of the first Velocity game in which she fled her ship to the heart of a black hole. As presented by the initial images at the beginning of the game, she survived. However, she suffered some injuries, and she was healed by high tech bionic implants. Unfortunately, the galaxy she is in is ruled by the Vokh. She desires to get back to earth. With a new ally, she is again thrown into the fray to help save the galaxy from the Vokhs rule all while making the most of her bionic abilities.
Right from the beginning, Velocity wastes no time to get you into the action. As you play the first levels (that serve as a tutorial), you see this is a game in which speed and quick thinking are crucial to overcome all obstacles. But even so, while the game rewards you for being the fastest pilot alive, you can take your time to beat each stage until you get the hang of it. Then you can play them as fast as possible in a test for your skills.
As you play through the story mode, you find yourself taking all your focus and dexterity being pushed to your limits, since the game likes to throw a curve ball with all the chaos and action going on. In most of the game, you are piloting the Quad Jet, destroying enemies and obstacles with your trusty guns and bombs–all while using your ships warp ability to pass through impossible obstacles.
However, some levels mix it up, since you have to disembark and the action changes from shmup to platforming. What is interesting about these platforming sessions is that Kai retains all the ships abilities like the boost and the warp. Also, she can jump and carries a gun to defeat enemies. All these game play elements will help you while looking for a switch to enable your ship to continue. As you play, you are giving a rating. Having a high one is needed to unlock more stages. If you want to enjoy everything the story can offer, you need to commit to be better with each run, since speed and quick reflexes as mentioned before is a must. I really like the pace of the story mode, since it sometimes feels like the game is training me to replay again in full speed with no deaths and killing and collecting everything (I haven’t been able to, but the stages in which I did felt awesome).
Graphically, Velocity looks great. The sci-fi theme and the way the story is presented in cut scenes and dialogues is great. There are even some moments that hit right in the feels. The music is really good and pumps you up to continue perfecting the way you play.
Another thing worth mentioning is that once you beat the story mode, there are challenge levels that you can tackle if you feel the story mode was not hard enough. There are even daily missions in which you play a stage trying to get the highest score in the least time possible (those in the first place in the online rankings, I tip my hat to you). There is a lot of replay value, and that’s good because Velocity 2X is hard to put down.
Bottom Line: Velocity 2X is a great indie gem that has teleported into the Nintendo Switch galaxy. With fast and rewarding game play, great music, and tons of replay value, this is a game that cannot go under your radar.
A review code was provided for this review.